Control means for washing machine roll wringer mechanism



July 19, 1932- A. w. ALTORFER 1,368,343

CONTROL MEANS FOR WASHING MACHINE ROLL WRINGER MECHANISM Filed May 6, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l INYENIUR- 4%,, www

ET W9 W ANYE July 19, 1932.

A. w. ALTORFER 1,868,343

CONTROL MEANS FOR WASHING MACHINE ROLL WRINGER MECHANISM Filed May 6, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 EY WYZ 4 LI AIIfE CONTROL MEANS FOR WASHING MACHINE ROLL WRINGER MECHANISM July 19, 1932. A. w. ALTORFER Filed May 6, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 19, 1932. A. w. ALTOR FER 1,868,343

CONTROL MEANS FOR WASHING MACHINE ROLL WRINGER MECHANISM Filed May 6, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INYENT CIR- Patented July 19, W32

NH'ED s'rAr s PATENT OFFICE AL'EHEUS W. ALTORFER, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS Application filed May 6, 1932. Serial No. 609,583.

This invention relates to control means for washing machine roll wringer mechanism.

The main object of the invention is to provide a remote control means for washing ma- 5 chine roll wringers, whereby any manual operation of the clutching mechanism is obviated and the operator, by applying the slightest touch and without exerting any substantial effort, may set into operation driving mechanism for actuating the clutch, thus controlling the activity of the wringer.

Another object lies in the provision of accessible control means for a clutch for controlling the activity of a roll wringer mechanism when operating in connection with a washing machine tub.

Still another object is to provide a means for controlling roll wringers wherein a clutch member controlling wringer activity is operated by a power driven means, thus obviating the necessity of any physical exertion in connection with the movement of the clutch parts.

Yet another object lies in the provision of a control means for a roll wringer mechanism which includes actuation of a clutch by mechanism driven by the wringer drive shaft and a member remotely disposed with respect to the clutch but capable by the slight- 10 est touch of the finger of the operator of operating the clutch actuating mechanism.

A further object lies in the provision of remote control means for a roll wringer mechanism, said remote control means obviating the necessity of actual physical movement of the clutch mechanism controlling same, and further the disposition of said remote control mechanism upon and in connection with the wringer mechanism itself, thus permitting not only swinging movement of the wringer but also, if desired, the removal and replacement of the wringer upon its support.

A still further object lies in the provision of a control means for roll wringer mechanism, including a clutch mechanism controlling the movement of the rolls and an additional clutch mechanism controlling the operation of said rolls, said clutch being actuated through intermediate mechanism with the result that control of the movement of the wringer is accomplished without actual manual movement of the clutch members.

An additional object is in the control means for wringer mechanism, wherein a clutch is 55 actuated by mechanism associated with the wringer drive shaft, influenced by a remote control member, there being also a manually operated member controlling simultaneously movement of the clutch to a neutral position and relief of the wringer assembly, which permits swinging movement thereof, and placement in a plurality of fixed and operating positions about its axis.

A further additional object is in a remote control means for a wringer mechanism, and by the use of the word remote as respects this remote control means, I do not intend to imply that the control is remote as far as distance is concerned from the wringer, but intends to specify a device which controls the starting and stopping of the roll members of a wringer device in such an indirect manner as to permit control of operation of the wringer by the slightest touch of the finger of the operator, it being intended that by using such control means, the physical effort employed in the clutching and declutching operations shall be obviated, thus relieving the operator at all times of physically overcoming the torsional strains imposed by the tensioned wringer rolls and the driving means for the wringer.

Other objects will appear in the following specification, taken in connection with the annexed drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view in partial fragmentary cross-section, showing the manner of connecting the wringer mechanism to the washer;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View of the wringer and control mechanism therefor, showing the particular manner of mounting upon the washer and supporting frame;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the wringer head and wringer control means;

Fig. 4: is a rear elevational view of the same portion;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line a-a of Fig. 4;;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line bb of Fig. 4:;

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective and showing of a portion of the mechanism permitting swinging movement of the wringer;

Fig. 8 1s a vertical sectional View showing applicants control mechanism for the wringer in a declutched position;

Fig. 9 is a similar View, showing the con- 0 trol mechanism in a clutched position;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line dd of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line cc of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is plan view in detail showing a portion of the clutch actuating mechanism in its engaged or operating position; and I Fig. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line ee of Fig. 8.

Before referring specifically'to the drawings for a detail description of applicants invention, it has been thought well to explain to some extent the general condition of the prior art and the advantage of the present invention to the washing machine industry as a whole.

In the first place, the association of a roll type wringer upon a washing machine and the manner of controlling same has become highly standardized. Generally, a dual roll type wringer is driven by a horizontal shaft through gears controlling the direction of movement of the rolls, said gears being disposed in the wringer head which has a framing support or base adapted to be seated upon a hollow standard, wherein there is normally sustained a continuously-driven wringer drive shaft. The wringer head or framing portion has a depending stub shaft which is adapted for clutch engagement with the wringer drive shaft. There may be some changes in position of the relative shafts but generally the operation of the wringer with respect to the driving mechanism is controlled by the operator directly through the movement of a clutch member into optional engagement with opposed gears which control the directional movement or reverse of the wringer rolls. When the clutch member in the wringer head has been manually removed to a neutral position, there is a cessation of roll activity.

The present invention includes mechanism operated by the wringer drive means, which mechanism actuates a clutch controlling the operation of the wringer, the clutch actuating mechanism, however, being controlled remotely by the operator, and thus permitting the clutch operation to be accomplished without the necessity of manually making connection with or withdrawal of the clutch portions. The invention contemplates a remote control member capable of operation by the slightest touch of the finger of the operator, whereupon immediately the actuating mechanism will be thrown into operation to actuate the clutch.

Referring specifically to the drawings, in Fig. 1 is found a general showing of the manner of assembling a wringer and wringer drive mechanism upon a conventional Washing machine.

In view of the fact that the present particular wringer control mechanism is capable of use upon any type of washing machine, the washer has merely been shown in general outline, the tub portion being designated 10 and the supporting frame and leg portions 11. The conventionality of this structure is thought to permit such brief drawing disclosure and with the further statement that the agitator portion of the washer may either be driven by electric motor 12, as shown, or by any other type of power, whether water, gasoline motor, or the like.

In the present instance power connection is made to a vertical driving shaft 13, through conventional driving mechanism enclosed in a housin 14 of conventional design. The manner 0 transmitting power from the prime mover 12 to the substantially vertical wringer shaft 13 may be accomplished in a number of ways so well known to the trade as to obviate a detail description and disclosure of the gear mechanism. It is thought sufficient to say that the motive power accomplishing the agitation of the water within the tub and the washing of the clothes simultaneously provides a power connection for the wringer drive shaft 13, which projects upwardly from the gear case housing 14.

A lateral extension 15 formed integrally with the upper portion of the framing of the tub provides an upper standard or wringer frame supporting member. This member, although shown as an integral part of the tub, may obviously just as well be a bracket member secured to the tub in any way desired.

This part is important merely from the factthat it provides a fixed support for the wringer frame and a means of connecting the drive shaft 13 to the wringer mechanism in a manner to permit removal of the wringer mechanism as a whole by simple vertical lift.

The wringer drive shaft 13 projects a substantial distance upwardly towards the standard 15 and has upon its upper end a simple clutch face 16 which is adapted to be mated with a depending shaft formed as a part of the wringer mechanism later to be described.

Surrounding the wringer drive shaft 13 is a protective housing 17. This housing member 17 is received in a depending tube 18 in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 1,

and is keyed thereto by means of the set screw 19. This depending tube 18 forms a part of the support for the wringer mechanism and as clearly seen in several of the figures in the drawings, and especially Figs.

3 and 4 and 6, the upper portion thereof, namely 20, has the plural peripheral indentations 21 which are adapted to receive a depending lug upon the wringer frame in a manner to permit positive positioning of the wringer mechanism upon the support in plural position about the axis thereof.

The wringer mechanism comprises generally the following portions. First, a wringer supporting and control portion 22, second a wringer head 23, which member provides a support and gear housing for the driving and reversing mechanism for the wringer, and finally a wringer 24.

As far as the wringer is concerned, the same has been shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings to conform generally to wringer construction as far as the use of the dual roll members 25 is concerned. These roll members, as the drawings disclose, are held in a tensioned relationship by means of the spring 26, and means has been provided through a manually operated lever 27 for either applying or relieving the tension between the rolls. The wringer frame 28 suitably supports the roll members therein and provides for a detachable connection with the wringer head 23 through the plural bolts 29.

The drive for the wringer is accomplished through the lower roll and the clutch connection 30 permits a connection with the wringer head or rather the driving mechanism therein with the lower roll of the wringer upon a horizontal axis.

Perhaps more description has been included than was necessary in View of the fact that any water extracting mechanism of a roll type might just as Well be used, as far as the present invention is concerned, without departing in the least from the novel results obtained thereby.

It is apparent that the wringer head and wringer support and control may be formed in an integral manner. The wringer head in the present instance is quite conventional En design and therefore will be described rst.

The wringer head has a detachable cap portion 31 which is adapted to receive and to support therein the manually operable lever 32 which later will be described as the operative means for reversing the direction of movement of the wringer rolls.

The head 23 provides bearing supports for the horizontal drive shaft 33, upon which are loosely mounted the gears 34 and A horizontally disposed pinion 36, is keyed as at 37, to. a stub shaft 38 which meshes at all times with the oppositely disposed driving gears 34 and 35.

Means for preventing vertical movement 0 the stub shaft 38 is provided in the threaded screw member 39, which engages a continuous groove 40 in the shaft 38.

Means for optionally clutching the gears 34 andj35 to the horizontal shaft 38 is provided in the male clutch member 41 adapted to engage the female clutch portions 42 and 43 on the respective gear members 34 and 35. Means for moving the clutch 41 into engagement with either of these gears is provided in a cam fashioned portion 44, which forms a depending part of the manual wringer roll control lever 32, said member engaging the groove portion 45 of the clutch 41.

Obviously, movement of the manual control lever 32 in one direction results in movement of the wringer rolls in one direction and movement thereof in the opposite direction results in movement of the same rolls in the reverse direction. Further, it is apparent that said manually operated clutch member may assume a neutral position wherein the rolls are not moving.

\Vith respect to the wringer frame support and control portion 22, it is found that the housing portion 22 is seated upon a base 46 which has the depending inner member 47, which in turn is received in the before mentioned supporting tube 18. This manner of connecting the wringer frame upon the supporting column permits a suitable driving connection to the wringer. mechanism as well as supporting said wringer mechanism against lateral movement. Further, it is apparent by positioning the wringer mechanism upon the supporting column 15, that same is permitted removal therefrom by simple vertical lift in View of the clutch connection between the wringer drive shaft and the depending drive shaft 48 carried in the wringer frame and supporting portion 22.

The depending member 47 provides a suitable bearing support for the shaft 48 as shown in several figures of the drawings, and perhaps best in Fig. 2. It is apparent that when the wringer frame 22 is seated upon the sup port 20, the lower end of the shaft 48 Will be clutched with the drive shaft 13. It is further apparent that the pointat which this connection of the shaft 48 is clutched with the vertical shaft is of little importance, and further, the manner of the clutch connection is immaterial. It is merely important that there be such a connection between the shafts as will permit removal of the entire wringer frame mechanism from the washer and the wringer drive mechanism. It is further important that the wringer mounting be such as to permit swinging movement about the axis of the wringer drive shaft.

The drive shaft 48 has an enlarged upper end portion 49 with vertical teeth formed thereon.

The connection between the drive shaft 48 and the stub shaft 38 in the wringer head is provided in the-following mechanism. The extreme upper end of the drive shaft 48 is shown at 50, which member is guided in the receiving portion 51 formed in the stub shaft 38. The lower end of the shaft 38 is splined in the manner shown at 52. A movable clutch collar 53 is carried upon the member 49 and is capable of movement to an upper or clutch position, as shown best in Fig. 9, wherein the interiorly formed teeth of said clutch collar will substantially instantly engage the olepending spline portion of the stub shaft 38.

In Figs. 8 and 9 is probably best shown this manner of clutching the wringer driving shafts to the vertical stub shaft 38, and consequently transmitting power to the horizontally disposed shaft 33 and finally to the wringer rolls. In these figures it is apparent that a positive clutching connection is accomplished by a very slight movement of the clutch collar 53, although it is further quite apparent that the clutching action is created almost instantly, due to the plurality of clutching teeth, which permit instant engagement of the clutching surfaces. The importance of this instant clutching will be later brought out in the description of the operation of the device.

Although applicant has provided herein,

as above described, a positive clutching of the power shaft 48 with the wringer roll drive mechanism, it now becomes apparent that this positive clutching action is so controlled from a remote position as to entirely obviate any manual operation in the clutching action and to permit this clutching action to be accomplished by the movement of clutch actuating mechanism controlled by the power movement of the drive shafts.

This clutch actuating mechanism includes the following structural parts. Keyed as at 54 to the shaft 48 is a ratchet 55. Above this ratchet and lying between the ratchet and the teeth portion 49 is a coil spring supporting plate 56. Tension spring 57 is carried upon this plate and normally exerts an upward pressure against the before mentioned clutch collar 53. In other words, the spring tends to throw the clutch collar 53 into clutch engagement with the spline shaft 52 on the stub shaft 38. A yoke 58, a portion of which is shown iii-plan in Fig. 13, has an inwardly projecting curved lip 59 carried in the continuous groove portion 60 of the clutch 53. This yoke 58 is secured as at 61 to a guide portion 62 which is capable of. vertical movement within the receiving portion 63 formed in the wringer head 23. This yoke 58 has a lower inwardly projecting lip portion 64 which contacts at all times the cam surface or face 65 on the plate 66, perhaps best seen in large detail in Fig. 12. The plate 66 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 48 and obviously is disposed between the ratchet 55 and the base 46 of the wringer frame.

In view of the fact that theupward'and downward movement of the yoke is controlled by the cam 65, it is quite apparent that upward and downward movement of the yoke controlled by the cam 65 actually accomplishes the clutching and declutching of the drive shaft with the wringer mechanism. i Movement of the cam 65 is accomplished and controlled in the following manner: As shown in Fig. 12, a pawl member 67 capable of being moved to and from operative position with respect to the ratchet 55, is pivoted as at 68 to the plate 66. The pawl 67 has spaced contact or control ends 69 and 70. In order to relieve the pawl 67 from engagement with the ratchet without any attendant jar, a second and somewhat similarly formed lever 71 is disposed immediately therebelow and pivoted in similar manner as at 68. The lever 71 has the upwardly projecting flanges 72 and 73, which limit the degree of movement of the pawl thereon, said lever being held in a tensioned position upon the plate 66 by means of the coil spring 74, which is hooked to the flange 73 as at 75 as well as att zziched to the plate 66 in the manner shown at 6.

This tensioned mounting of the pawl with respect to the ratchet merely results in a tensioned gradual relief of the pawl from engagement with the ratchet by virtue of the fact that the abutment portion of the lower lever strikes an interposed control member in a tensioned manner slightly previous to the relief of the pawl.

It might be stated at this time that a single pawl might be used, but with a slightly less efiiciency of operation.

Means for controlling the operation of the pawl and ratchet mechanism just described, which operation resultsin each instance in a half-rotational movement of the cam, is accomplished by the interposition of a control lug 7 7 in the path of the abutment portions controlling the movement of the pawl 72.

This lug 77 is shown in various figures of the drawings and is capable of movement to a position either to stop the abutment members 69 and 73 with the resulting relief of the pawl from the ratchet, or to the lateral position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9, whereby it is quite obvious that the tension spring 74 will throw the pawl 67 into engagement with the ratchet 55 with the result that the ratchet 55 will move the plate 66 and consequently the cam 65 in a rotational movement with a consequent raising orlowering of the yoke. It is further apparent that removal of the lug 77 from the path of the abutment members will result in the instant commencement of the clutching or declutching operation and that by virtue of the slight movement of the yoke 53 to accomplish this clutching operation, same will be substantially instantaneous, with the withdrawal of the member 77 to a lateral position.

The manner of mounting the control finger 77 is perhaps best shown in Figs. 3, 10 and 11, where it is apparent that the finger is carried upon a horizontally disposed shaft 78, which shaft has the coil spring 79 thereon, which tends at all times to hold the lug 77 in the path of the abutment members controll1ng movement of the pawl 67. The shaft 78 projectsthrough the wringer frame control portion in the manner shown at Fig. 3 and the outer end of this shaft has secured thereto the short crank portion 80, which in turn is pivotally connected as at 81 to the vertical lever 82, which in turn is pivoted as at 83 to the manual control member 84:, which in turn is pivoted as at 85 to the gear housing 23.

As far as the matter of operating the lug 77 is concerned, any character of lever mechanism might be connected thereto which upon operation from a remote position, would instantly move this lug from the path of the pawl control members and which, because of a tension mounting of one character or another, would instantly return same to a position to be interposed in the path of and to prevent passage of the following abutment member upon the operation of the cam and consequent operation of the clutch. It will be noted, however, that this manual control member 84, which is adapted to be operated by the slightest touch of the finger of the operator, is disposed in a position immediately adjacent the wringer rolls, whereby the operator may be in a position, in feeding the clothes through the wringer, to readily strike this member with a slight touch to stop the operation thereof, and thus to permit the clothes to be properly guided through the wringer and preventing any tangling thereof v upon the rolls, and the positioning of buttons and the many portions in proper wringing of garments in the roll type of wringer.

As has been previously explained, the wringer mechanism as a whole is permitted swinging movement about the axis of the wringer drive shaft and upon the member 20.

Means for positively positioning the wringer in a plurality of positions about this axis is found in the dependence of a lug 86 in the plural i ndentations 21 previously described. This lug is carried'and guided in an integrally formed portion 87 of the wringer of the frame and is further held in a spring tensioned manner by means of the coil spring 88, which abuts the upper end ofthe lug or pin 86.

Means for relieving the pin 86 from engagement withthe plural indentations and permitting manual swinging of the wringer is accomplished by a manual control lever 89 having an end 90 engaging the slot 91 formed in the lug or looking plunger 86.

Referring to Fig. 4, it is quite apparent that downward movement of the control lever 89 will elevate the plunger 86 and permit the wringer mechanism to be swung about its axis. However, relief of this lever will permit the plunger to engage the proper indenmovement attending 7 wringer rolls should they be rotating when tationto support the wringer in a desired positlon. This mechanism is generally old and describesthe usual means for controlling the swinging movement of a wringer. However,

the wringer drive shaft to the wringer meclu anism.

Referring to Fig. 7ft is found that this manual control lever 89 is carried in the control casing in a rotatable but secure manner by means of the set screw 90. The inner end of the lever 89 has the cam face 91, which immediately overlies the clutch 53. This clutch, as previously described, is held in a spring tensioned manner by means of the coil spring 56 and consequently may be moved downwardly by physical movement of the member 89. In other words, it is found that whenever it is desirable to swing the wringer upon' its axis, the movement of the control lever 89 accomplishing the withdrawal of the plunger 86 simultaneously operates the clutch mechanism in such a manner as to break thedriving connection between the wringer shaft and the wringer rolls.

The importance of this dual function of the lever is to prevent any possible torsional the driving of the the wringer is moved.

In using a dual functioning lever of this kind, it is quite apparent that the control lever 32 need not be moved to a neutral osition nor changed in theleast because 0 the fact that the control lever 89 is operating upon clutch 53 rather than the clutch 34.

With respect to the operation of applicants control mechanism for washing machine roll wringer mechanism, let it be assumed that the operator has finished the clothes washingoperation and is prepared to feed the wet garments to the wringer. The operator, who in practically every instance isa woman, moves the wringer control member 32 to a position which will move the wringer rolls 25 in the direction desired.

Assuming that the clutch 53 is in engagement with the s line shaft 52, the rolls will obviously imme iately' commence their rotation and the operator may-feed the clothes therethrough.

As far as the operation of the control handle 32 is concerned, this is entirely conventional and the structure itself conforms generally to a type of wringer as well as the operation thereof that is well known in the trade.

Assuming that the operator is in the process of wringing the clothes and is desirous'of stopping the wringer for thepur ose of rearranging the clothes that are belng fed, or for the purpose of placing the garments in such position that buttons thereon will not be torn 011', or for many other reasons, including the possible tangling of the clothes upon the rolls, she thereupon merely touches slightly the manual control lever 84. The slight movement of the control lever 84, operating through levers 82, and 80, and shaft 78, finally moves the lug 77 from a position interposed in the path of the flange 7 3, which in this position is holding the pawl 67 from engagement with the ratchet 55. The position of the clutch at this time is clearly shown in Fig. 11, wherein the pawl 67 is held from engagement with the ratchet. The position of the clutch, as well as the clutch actuating mechanism at this time, is clearly shown in Fig.- 9. \Assuming that the lug 77 has been withdrawn from the path of member 73, immediately thereupon the spring 74 forces: the pawl 67 into the path of the ratchet 55 and the constantly moving ratchet now moves the pawl, pivoted arm members in connection therewith, plate 66 and cam 65 in a counterclockwise rotational movement.

The operator, to accomplish this stopping of the rolls, has merely touched the control lever 84 slightly with her finger tip and after the lug 77 has been withdrawn from its interposed. position, because of the action of the spring 79, it substantially immediately reassumes its former position, and is thus interposed in the path of the pawl controlling lever or abutment portion 69. It is thus found that the cam is permitted a half-rotational movement before it is stopped and the pawl 67 withdrawn, from an operative connection with the ratchet 55. This part rotational movement of the cam 65, however, operates the yoke, which because of its connection with the clutch 53 operates simultaneously to withdraw such clutch member from clutch engagement with the spline shaft 52.

This downward movement of the yoke and clutch is opposed by'the tension of the coil spring 56, which tends at all times to force the member 53 into clutch engagement with the spline shaft.

Although the operation of the clutch actuating mechanism and manual control means has been described at considerable length, nevertheless it must not only be assumed, but it is a fact, that substantially immediately upon the slightest touch of the operator upon control member 84, there will be a cessation of rotation of the roll members 25. Thus, ap-

' plicants control means 0 erates as a dual clearly shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. Fig. 8 immediately above Fig. 10, also shows the declutched position of the member 53 and also the position assumed by the clutch actuating mechanism when the member 53 is held in the declutched position.

Lateral movement of lug 77 induced by the movement of the remote control lever 84 permits the pawl 67 to engage ratchet 55 which, because of its positive connection with the drive shaft 48 again commences the rotation of the ratchet and pawl mechanism, plate 66 and cam 65. Again, the cam is permitted a half rotation with a consequent elevation of the yoke 58 to the position shown in Fig. 9 under tension of the coil spring 56.

It is repeated that although the clutching operation has been described somewhat in detail, nevertheless following the slightest touch of the operator to the manual control member 84:, the rolls will again commence their rotation substantially immediately thereafter.

The inventor has assumed in his description of his device that the driving means for the wringer has been under power influence at all times and it is stated at this time that this manual control mechanism is adapted to control the operation of the wringer when it is being used by the operator.

The control mechanism is adapted to operate, as is believed apparent, irrespective of the position of the arm 32, whether same is driving the rolls in a directional movement or in a reverse manner. In other words, the readily operated manual control mechanism is for the assistance of the operator during the actual wringing operation and obviates the necessity not only of an awkward control of the wringer by movement of the arm 32, but

of much more importance, the prevention of any actual manual withdrawal or connection of the clutch portions.

It will be noted that the manual control member is disposed immediately adjacent the rolls, whereupon it may be readily touched by the operator. Although but one control member has been shown, it is obvious that a similar control member could be disposed upon the opposite side of the wringer in a position to be utilized by the operator when assuming a position upon the opposite side of the wringer and during subsequent rinsing operations.

Further, it is quite apparent that the control lever may be disposed'with respect to the wringer, either upon the right or left hand side as the case may be, without departing in the slightest from the inventive thought of having a'wringer control member operated by the slightest touch of the operator.

As respects the removability 0f applicants wringer mechanism, including the manual control mechanism therefor, the same is believed quite apparent, in view of the description and drawings, and further, in view of the fact that the drive shafts 13 and 48 have a readily removable clutch connection. The wringer mechanism as a whole may be removed by simple vert-ical lift and replaced upon the support 20. Further, movement of the manual control lever 89 to permit withdrawal of the plunger 86 from the detents 81 permits manual swinging of the wringer about a vertical axis with a minimum of effort. Movement of this lever 89 has a dual and much more important function in that depression thereof also operates to declutch the member 53 from the spline shaft 52 and thus prevents any torsional movement of the wringer induced by rotation of the continuously moving wringer drive shaft 48 while the wringer is being swung to various positions necessary in the wringer operation.

What I claim is:

1. The combination of a roll wringing mechanism for a washing machine, means for driving the rolls of said mechanism, a clutch in the driving mechanism, power means for operating the clutch to control the movement of the wringer rolls, and a manually operated member for controlling the power operated clutch control means, said member being readily accessible to the operator when the latter is operating the wringer, and being responsive to a comparatively slight pressure by the operator.

2. The combination of a roll wringing mechanism for a washing machine adapted to be swung in a horizontal plane into a plurality of operating positions, means for driving the wringer rolls in each of said positions, a clutch in the driving mechanism, power means for operating the clutch to control the movement of the wringer rolls in each of its adjusted positions, and a manually operated member for actuating the power operated means, said member being readily accessible to the operator when the latter is operating the wringer in each of the several positions which the wringer may assume, and said member being responsive to a relatively small pressure by the operator.

3. The combination of a roll wringing mechanism for a washing machine adapted to be swung about a vertical axis into a plurality of 7 horizontal operating positions, means for driving the wringer rolls in each of its several positions, a clutch in the driving means, power means for operating the clutch to control the movement of the wringer rolls in each of the positions of the wringer mechanism, and a manually operated member mounted on the wringer mechanism and movable therewith for actuating the power operated means, said member being so mounted on the wringer mechanism as to be readily accessible to the operator when the latter is operating the wringer in each of the several positions of the wringer mechanism,

and said member being responsive to a relatively small pressure by the operator.

4. The combination of a roll wringing mechanism for a washing machine, a support and driving means for the wringing mechanism mounted as a unitary structure with the wringing mechanism so that the wringing mechanism may be manually removed by a vertical lift, a clutch in the driving means, power means for operating the clutch to control the movement of the wringer rolls, and a manually operated member for actuating the power operated means, said member being readily accessible to the operator when the latter is in wringer operating position, and responsive to a relatively slight pressure by the operator.

5. The combination of a roll wringing mechanism for a washing machine adapted to be swung in a horizontal plane into a plurality of operating positions, means for locking said mechanism in its several positions of adjustment, means for driving the wringer mechanism in each of its positions, a clutch in the driving mechanism, power means for operating the clutch to control the movement of the wringer rolls, a manually operated member for actuating the power means, said member being readily accessible to the operator when the latter is operating the wringer in each position of the wringer mechanism, and a manually operated means for simultaneously releasing the wringer mecha- ALPHEUS W. ALTORFER.

DISCLAIMER 1,868,343.Alpheus W. Altoryer, Peoria, 111. CONTROL MEANS FOR WASHING. MACHINE ROLL WRINGER MECHANISM. Patent dated July 19, 1932. Disclaimer filed November 14, 1938, by the patentee. Hereby enters this disclaimer of claim 1.

[Ofiicial Gazette December 6, 1938.] 

